Hornets' Nest
F/A-18C Hornets
Operation Enduring Freedom, 2001
and USS Constellation, 1995

CAM
Custom Aeronautical Miniatures

Reviewed by Brett Green

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

CAM Decals' focus is modern US aircraft. The Blue Angels have long been a fixture at major American airshows, so it makes sense that they would capture the attention of CAM.

CAM's 1/48 scale 48-09 sheet offers markings for two aircraft:

• F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 164048, VFA-94 Mighty Shrikes, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), CVW-11, 2001 Operation Enduring Freedom; and

• F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 164897, VFA-151 Vigilantes; USS Constellation (CV-64); CVW-2, 1995

Full markings plus major stencils and slime lights are supplied for both aircraft. The "Enduring Freedom" Hornet is a particularly colourful and interesting bird, with high-viz Squadron colours and even the tanks marked with emblems.

CAM supplies a range of generic bomb markings seen on television footage of Operation Enduring Freedom. The instructions point out that the Squadrons on USS Carl Vinson may have been prohibited from using such markings on their ordnance, so the modeller must decide whether to employ some artistic licence. Regardless of whether the bomb art decals are used on this particular aircraft, they will come in handy in the spares box for other Enduring Freedom projects.

All decals are printed on thin material with minimal carrier film. Registration is perfect on my sample. Instructions are supplied on a single sheet in black and white. The cardboard cover sheet is provided in colour, and gives a good idea of how the subjects will look.

This is a timely and topical sheet that will result in a couple of well-dressed Hornets.

Recommended.

Thanks to CAM Decals for the review sample.

CAM Decals are available online from their website at http://www.camdecals.com

Review Copyright © 2002 by Brett Green
Page Created 01 September, 2001
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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